Based on the trailers I’d seen for the Netflix series Stranger Things, I was expecting the series to be good on some level — it showed a great premise and a very intriguing visual style. I, however, did not necessarily expect it to succeed on as many levels as it did. From its love not to 1980s entertainment, to its solid young cast, and overall quality storytelling, it not only surprised me, but surprised a great number of TV fans as well.

Where the first season launched on Netflix with minimal marketing and little-to-no expectations, it’s confirmed second season (which is set to launch next year) will be facing a mountain of expectations on the heels of its success. As great as it is for everyone involved, there’s no denying that there’s an added pressure to the process that was not there before.

Speaking with Southern California Public Radio (via Collider), Shawn Levy, one of the directors of the series, admitted to the difficulties these expectations have on them.

“Yes, the pressure is on. It would be so blatantly disingenuous of me to say differently. Itâ€™s scary to have people love something this much. It becomes impossible to banish all thoughts of not wanting to disappoint. This has been the challenge of it: on the one hand as weâ€™ve see in the movie world, to do a follow-up that feels like the same thing is disappointing to an audience; to abandon things or change things [from the original], that disappoints the audience.

“A lot of Season 2 is next-level, some crazy stuff, but we must service these characters who are now beloved, who are known to the audience.”

And speaking of these beloved characters, the progression of each season of the show will be especially important, as the kids will be growing up right in front of our very eyes — not unlike how Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson did in the Harry Potter film series. Levy discussed the apparent aging of their young cast.

“We had dinner with the kids. We could see it right in front of us. They are not the same. They are still, thank God, charming and authentic, but it is a different form of those things.”

All in all, they seem to be taking an approach that takes their growth into account, so don’t expect these characters to stay the same as time goes on. Like in real life, kids change tremendously, so we can only expect the same from a series that follows them growing up.

“I think weâ€™re going to stay honest with these kids by growing with them.”

What are your thoughts on Levy’s comments? Does any of this make you more excited for Stranger Things Season 2? Let us know in the comments down below!

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Joseph Jammer Medina is an author, podcaster, and editor-in-chief of LRM. A graduate of Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Television, Jammer's always had a craving for stories. From movies, television, and web content to books, anime, and manga, he's always been something of a story junkie.

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